New Ferret Tricks: Emerging Disease Presentations

The domestic ferret, Mustela (putorius) furo, is a highly inbred animal that is extremely popular as a pet. In the past 10 years, there has been a large increase in the number of pet ferrets available in pet stores in the United States. Predominantly they are from one commercial breeder, but there are other commercial breeders and small, individual breeders as well. Most of the diseases discussed are being seen in ferrets from different sources, although in the pet trade different shipments may be mixed. There has also been a move by all suppliers to neuter/spay and descent the ferrets at 3 to 4 weeks of age. The implications of surgery at that age on the immune system and disease exposure has not been studied (or at least appeared in the published literature). The alterations to the growth and development of the ferret may also be affected (as is being studied with adrenal disease). Regardless, this practice will continue. Ferrets are shipped usually at 6 to 8 weeks of age, and usually they have received only one vaccination, canine distemper. They are due for the rest of the series, and most do not get it, as pet stores repeatedly (erroneously) tell people “they’ve had their shots.” Completion of distemper vaccination and rabies is frequently done after the ferret is 6 months to a year old, or has developed other medical problems. Most pet ferrets during their lifespan will develop dental disease, neoplasia, cardiomyopathy, and some form of gastrointestinal disorder. The pet ferret has one of the highest tumor rates of any mammal. These serious illnesses are in addition to the usual ferret follies: ear mites and trauma of multiple types. We do advise ferret owners to establish a savings account for their ferret’s medical needs. Many of the disease problems we are currently seeing need to be characterized and studied. Practitioners with cases are encouraged to tabulate their data and coordinate this with the pathologists or clinicians trying to discern the etiology, treatment, and prevention. Networking through online veterinary exotics discussion groups is extremely helpful as it establishes a pattern from which we can look at epidemiology.